As Tasmania enters the 2025-26 migration program year, there are several important changes and interim arrangements to note. While the full details of the 2025-26 program are yet to be finalized, recent announcements clarify how the state is managing its migration nomination quotas, priority cases, and what prospective applicants should expect.

Current Status & Background

• For the 2024-25 program year, Tasmania was allocated a total of 2,860 nomination places for its Skilled Migration State Nomination Program:
  • 2,100 places for Subclass 190 
  • 760 places for Subclass 491 

• Throughout 2024-25, the demand for nominations surged. By early May 2025, close to 90% of slots had already been used: about 1,703/2,100 for subclass 190 and 636/760 for subclass 491. 

• Because of this high uptake, Tasmania introduced restrictions: from 19 May 2025, only applicants with a “Gold Pass” (i.e. those meeting stronger priority criteria, including having a relevant skills assessment and working in a critical or priority occupation) could submit a Registration of Interest (ROI). 

• That window closed fully on 16 June 2025, and from 27 June 2025, all nomination places for 2024-25 were confirmed to be used. No further ROIs have been accepted for the remainder of that program year. 

Interim Allocation for 2025-26 & What It Means

While the Commonwealth and the State work out the full nomination allocations for 2025-26, Tasmania has received a small interim allocation of places to address pending, priority cases. Key points:

• Tasmania has been granted 165 interim nomination places:
  • 85 for subclass 190
  • 80 for subclass 491 

• Importantly, these interim places are not for new applications. They are reserved to ensure those who were provisionally approved under 2024-25 but were unable to be formally nominated (due to quota caps) now have their nomination confirmed. 

• For subclass 491, the interim allocation means all provisionally approved applicants will now receive their nomination formalized. 

• For subclass 190, there are more provisionally approved applicants than available interim spots. So Tasmania will prioritize those who are already in Australia, especially people with visas that are expiring soon, or those on bridging visas. Others will have to wait until the full 2025-26 allocation is released. 

What Applicants Should Expect

Given the interim allocation and the program’s current status, here’s what prospective applicants need to know:

1. Program closed to new ROIs
   Until the full 2025-26 program opens, Tasmania is not accepting new Registrations of Interest. All eligible documentation and criteria updates are still being worked out. 

2. Earlier submitted ROIs are still relevant
   If you submitted an ROI in 2024-25 but were not invited, that ROI is being held in the “Application Gateway” and may be considered under the interim allocation or once the full 2025-26 places are available.

3. Priority criteria continues to matter
   Attributes like being in a critical occupation, having a valid skills assessment, working in Tasmania, visa status (especially bridging or expiring visas) are important in determining who gets nominated among those waiting. The “Gold Pass” or “priority attributes” system is still a key filter. 

4. Expect delays & final allocation announcements
   Those whose applications are already lodged may experience some delay in hearing final decisions; nominations can only be issued after Tasmania receives its full 2025-26 allocation.

5. Stay updated
   Migration Tasmania has indicated that full program settings — including updated eligibility criteria, nomination quotas, and opening dates for new ROIs — will be published in the coming weeks. Those interested should subscribe to newsletters, check official websites etc

Implications & Advice

For people planning to apply under Tasmania’s nomination program, the interim phase presents both opportunity and limitation:

• If you are already provisionally approved under 2024-25, this is good news: some backlog is being cleared, and for subclass 491 everyone waiting will be nominated.

• For subclass 190 hopefuls, being in Australia, holding a bridging visa, or having expiring visa will improve your chances under the interim round.

• If you haven’t applied yet, now isn’t the time — better to prepare documentation, keep track of the announced eligibility changes, and be ready as soon as the 2025-26 program opens fully.